Evaluate the importance of Bismarck’s policies in the achievement of German unification by 1871.

The question requires that the candidates make an appraisal of the contribution of Bismarck’s policies to unification. The main focus is likely to be on Bismarck’s diplomacy in the wars of unification against Denmark in 1864, Austria in 1866 and France in 1870. He isolated other countries and made them appear to be the aggressor, for example his manipulation of the Ems Telegram (Dispatch) in July 1870. Candidates may also highlight his role in passing military reforms through the Prussian Parliament in the 1860s. Alternatively, candidates may argue that other factors, aside from Bismarck’s policies, led to German unification by 1871. These could include Austrian weakness, the economic and military growth of Prussia from 1815 and economic co-operation under the Zollverein from the 1830s onwards. The growth of German nationalism may also be discussed. The failure of the Frankfurt parliament between 1848 and 1849 arguably showed that Germany would only be unified under a monarchy.

The question required candidates to make an appraisal of the contribution of Bismarck’s policies to unification. Some good knowledge and arguments were displayed. Weaker candidates tended to answer with reference to Bismarck’s policies after 1871 which was not relevant to the question.